Danish architect and urbanist Jan Gehl – a pioneer of people-centred urbanism – celebrated his 90th birthday on 17 September 2026.
In honour of Jan’s 90th birthday, Danish Architecture Center is showcasing the key role he has played in urban development with a calendar of activities including a new exhibition Cities for People, developed in collaboration with the practice Gehl and Jan Gehl, which will opens on World Architecture Day, Monday 5 October. Drawing on Jan Gehl’s life’s work and his 12 quality criteria for public urban spaces, the exhibition explores, through both historical and contemporary perspectives, how urban design shapes our lives – and how people-centered urban spaces can improve our health, well-being, communities, and quality of life.
“Jan Gehl has shown the world that the perceived quality of a city is primarily achieved through understanding people’s needs and through caring about how people live as individuals and in communities. This is a clear and compelling idea, but it requires complex knowledge and political support to implement for the benefit of all in the city. Jan Gehl’s and the praxis Gehl’s consulting has proven effective, and their work has altered our fundamental understanding of what is considered a good city and how to design it. This is a huge achievement,” says Kent Martinussen, CEO of the Danish Architecture Center.
Read more about the Center’s celebration of Jan’s birthday here.
And for more reading see Jan Gehl: Good Cities Should Feel Like One Big Hug and https://www.gehlpeople.com/
